Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology

Page: 52-57

Background: The pterion, a key anatomical landmark, is the junction of four cranial bones: frontal, zygomatic, temporal, and sphenoid over the temporal fossa.

Aim & Objective: Analysis of variations in its morphology of the Pterion and its implications in neurosurgery.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 80 human skulls, aimed to analyse pterion types and their incidence. Four parameters were measured precisely from various landmarks, bilaterally, using vernier callipers.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed sphenoparietal pterion as the most common (75.625%), followed by epipteric (15.625%) and stellate (8.75%), with no frontotemporal occurrences. The analysis showed SP-SP as the most frequent (68.75%). Mean distances from pterion to surrounding landmarks were recorded.

Conclusions: A study on 80 skulls were done and analysed and we came to the conclusion that the most prevalent among the 4 types of Pterion was sphenoparietal followed by epipteric, stellate and with no incidence of frontotemporal skulls. On the right side ,the mean distances of the Pterion from the frontozygomatic suture is 34.8655 ± 4.3402, from the highest point of zygomatic arch 52.5855±5.5418 and from the temporozygomatic suture 43.2237±4.2059 and from anteriormost point from external acoustic meatus  53.1221±3.8553.On the left side ,the mean distances of the Pterion from the frontozygomatic suture is 34.6915±4.7049, from the highest point of zygomatic arch 54.4586±4.1748 and from the temporozygomatic suture 43.2994±4.3303and from anteriormost point from external acoustic meatus 52.8978±3.7135.

Keywords: Pterion, Neurosurgery, Cranial bones, Anatomical landmark, Statistical analysis.